Surname Westmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Westmeier: What does the surname Westmeier mean?
The last name Westmeier is of German origin and is a habitational name derived from a region in northern Germany. It is believed to be derived from the Old German words "West," meaning “west,” and “Meier,” meaning “mayor.” It is also possible that the name evolved from the personal name “Westmar,” which was derived from the words “west” and “mar,” meaning “famous.” Thus, the concluded meaning of the name Westmeier is “ west mayor” or “famous mayor.”
The name has been found primarily in the regions of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, and Canada. It was most likely brought to the U.S. by German immigrants in the 19th Century. Genealogical records indicate that the Westmeier name began to emerge in various regions during the early 1700s. It has held a relatively steady prevalence in the ensuing centuries, although the ultimate etymology of the name remains unknown.
Presently, the Westmeier name is believed to have spread across at least five continents. Common variations of the name are Westemeier, Westmeyer, Westmayer, Westmayr, Westmaier, and Westmeir. Many descendant families still proudly carry the Westmeier name and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisWestmeier: Where does the name Westmeier come from?
The last name Westmeier is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and other areas in Northern Europe. In Germany, the name is especially prevalent in the northern state of Lower Saxony, where it is among the top 500 most popular surnames. It is also a common name in the Netherlands, where the Westmeier family can be traced back to the 17th century. In the United States, the Westmeier surname appears most frequently in the states of California, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The Westmeier surname has a long and rich history in Northern Europe, and its origins suggest a geographical and cultural connection between these areas. In particular, the Dutch Westmeier family can be traced back to Jens Westmeijer, a Dutchman born in 1619. The name derives from the Old Dutch words of "west" and "meyere," which together mean "guardian of the west." This likely suggested the location of his home, implying a connection with the Netherlands' maritime history and its close relationship with the sea.
The Westmeier surname is associated with a number of people from different industries and backgrounds. Red Cross co-founder Clara Westmeier was born in 1851 in Holland. Menno Westmeier was a footballer who represented Germany in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Westmeier families have also made a notable mark in the business world, with German industrialist August Westmeier dyring the 1920s and 30s and American businessman Louis Westmeier in the 1950s.
Variations of the surname Westmeier
Westmeier is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word westmier, which is a combination of two words; west meaning west and mier from the German word meier which is equivalent to the English word mayor. Depending on the region, this surname can have many variations including Westmeyer, Westmaier, Westmeir, Westmeijer, Westmeyer, Westmayer, Westmair and Westmee.
The spelling of this surname also varies in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland and areas of southern Germany. Spellings such as Wästmeer, Wästmair, Wastmaier, Westermeier, Vastmeier, Vestmeier, Westmeir, Westhmeier, West(h)maier, Westhmeir, Westme(e)ier, Westmeierhof, Vestmaier and Westmeyerhof are common in these areas.
Apart from German speaking countries, variants of this surname are also commonly found in Dutch and Belgian areas such as Holland and Flanders. Common Dutch spellings of this surname include Westemeijer, Westemeyer, Westmeier, Westmeijer, Westmayer, Westmair, Westmaeyer, Westmaijer and Westmeyer.
In its native Germany, Westmeier can be found as a commonly used name in many of the country’s largest cities. Similarly, the surname is also popular in areas of the United States such as Pennsylvania, Texas, and California, where many German immigrants settled.
The Westmeier surname is a Germanic origin name, first recorded in the 12th century, making it one of the oldest surviving surnames in the German language. The given name corresponding to this surname is Wester.
Famous people with the name Westmeier
- Karl Westmeier: German ski jumper who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics and won a bronze medal in the normal hill event
- Claus Westmeier: German politician who served as a member of the Bavarian Landtag
- Connor Westmeier: American professional surfer
- Harold Westmeier: Major League Baseball pitcher who played with the Cincinnati Reds during the 1972 season
- Joe Westmeier: American basketball player and coach who served as a head coach at the University of Tulsa
- John Westmeier: American professional ice hockey player who played in 44 NHL games
- Konrad Westmeier: German composer and musicologist
- Kyle Westmeier: American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour
- Robert Westmeier: American television producer and executive
- Stefan Westmeier: German competitor, speed skating and long track in the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics